Method and system for managing a packet switched network

Abstract

A method and system for routing a call at least partially over a packet switched network is provided. The method comprises receiving the call at a network operations center in communication with a server, and sending a first query from the server to the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper sends the second query over a signaling network to a service control point in response to the first query. A routing message is received at the gatekeeper from the service control point in response to the second query. The routing message is communicated from the gatekeeper to the server, and the call is routed to a call destination in accordance with the communicated routing message. The call is at least partially routed over the packet switched network.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. For use with an intelligent network including a service control point and with a packet switched network including a source terminal server, a destination terminal server, and a network operations center, the network operations center including an application server that supports call routing between the source terminal server and the destination terminal server, a method for routing a call comprising: 
       receiving the call at the application server from a call source at the source terminal server, the call having a call destination at the destination terminal server, the call requiring dynamic routing beyond the application server capabilities;  
       in response to receiving the call, sending a first query from the application server to a gatekeeper that functions as a gateway from the application server to the intelligent network;  
       sending a second query from the gatekeeper over a signaling network to the service control point in response to the first query;  
       receiving a routing message at the gatekeeper from the service control point in response to the second query;  
       communicating the routing message from the gatekeeper to the application server; and  
       connecting the call over the packet switched network to the call destination in accordance with the communicated routing message whereby the application server leverages the intelligent network capabilities to provide advanced routing capabilities for calls over the packet switched network.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the network operations center has a plurality of different servers. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application server is a video server. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application server is a voice server. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application server is a fax server. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application server is a directory server. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the gatekeeper is located within the network operations center. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the packet switched network is an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the signaling network is a Signaling System  7  network. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application server is located within the network operations center. 
     
     
       11. For use with an intelligent network including a service control point and with a packet switched network including a source terminal server, a destination terminal server, and a network operations center, the network operations center including an application server that supports call routing between the source terminal server and the destination terminal server, a system for routing a call comprising: 
       a gatekeeper that functions as a gateway from the application server to the intelligent network for receiving a first query from the application server when a call requires dynamic routing, beyond the application server capabilities, the gatekeeper being operative to send a second query over a signaling network to the service control point upon receiving the first query, to receive a routing message from the service control point in response to the second query, and to communicate the routing message to the application server.  
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11  wherein the network operations center has a plurality of different servers. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 11  wherein the application server is a video server. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 11  wherein the application server is a voice server. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 11  wherein the application server is a fax server. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 11  wherein the application server is a directory server. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 11  wherein the gatekeeper is located within the network operations center. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 11  wherein the packet switched network is an Internet protocol network. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 11  wherein the signaling network is a Signaling System  7  network. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 11  wherein the application server is located within the network operations center. 
     
     
       21. A system for routing a call comprising: 
       an intelligent network including a signaling network, a signal transfer point, and a service control point;  
       a packet switched network including a source terminal server, a destination terminal server, and a network operations center, the network operations center including an application server that supports call routing between the source terminal server and the destination terminal server; and  
       a gatekeeper that functions as a gateway from the application server to the intelligent network for receiving a first query from the application server when a call requires dynamic routing beyond the application server capabilities, the gatekeeper being operative to send a second query over the signaling network to the service control point upon receiving the first query, to receive a routing message from the service control point in response to the second query, and to communicate the routing message to the application server.